Criminality - Illegal cigarette factory: Trial starts
Nearly nine months after the discovery of an illegal cigarette factory in Brilon, Sauerland, three men from Tuesday onwards must answer in court in Bochum. The 38 to 49-year-old defendants are alleged to have been involved in the production and sale of up to 2.4 million cigarettes per day between June 2023 and November 2023. The alleged tax damage amounts to over 13.6 million Euro according to the indictment.
Customs officials and the prosecutor's office raided the production site on 6th November of the previous year. The untaxed cigarettes are believed to have been sold on the black market in Germany and Europe. The judges have initially scheduled ten hearing days for the trial until mid-September.
- The men, accused of tax evasion in the production and sale of millions of untaxed cigarettes, faced harsh consequences for their involvement in criminality related to taxes.
- The discovery of the illegal cigarette factory in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia, led to a significant raid by customs officials and the prosecutor's office.
- Despite the massive production and sale of these cigarettes, the defendants failed to pay the due taxes, resulting in an alleged tax damage of over 13.6 million Euro.
- In North Rhine-Westphalia, specifically in Sauerland and Brilon, men were found to be involved in a vast operation of tax evasion, affecting thousands of Euros in taxes due to the authorities.
- The court process, initiated in Bochum, aims to hold these men accountable for their illegal activities, including their involvement in the production and sale of these cigarettes on the black market.
- The criminal investigation and subsequent court proceedings serve as a reminder of the severe consequences of tax evasion, affecting not only the accused but also the overall integrity of the tax system.
